WTB adjustable mouth block plane

Does anyone have a descent user Stanley 9 1/2, 18, 60 1/2, or 65 they wanted to part with? I’ve been looking for a block plane, not happy with the quality in the new Stanley block planes and not really wanting to drop $100+ on a Veritas. It doesn’t have to be pretty, as long as all the parts are there and functional. Thanks

12 replies so far

Just wondering what’s wrong with the Stanley 12-920 and 12-960 new block planes? While they do requires some tuning, mine work very well. Nothing against old ones if you can find them, in good condition with a good blade, for about the price of new. I wasn’t able to so I went with new.

I also have the 12-139 new Sweetheart version. I’m pretty happy with it since I caught it on a sale for $57. It is kinda big and heavy, but is great for cleaning up end grain and smoothing smaller surfaces. The only real gripes are the lash in the depth adjustment, and only A2 blades are available (A2 chips easily at 25° bevel for end grain).

I had to be diligent for a couple weeks, but you will find older stanleys on ebay for under 40 bucks. Good ones too (but watch out for the junk of course). I think I got my 60 1/2 for 30 bucks or so (though they are more plentiful for a little more cash)

Just wondering what s wrong with the Stanley 12-920 and 12-960 new block planes? While they do requires some tuning, mine work very well. Nothing against old ones if you can find them, in good condition with a good blade, for about the price of new. I wasn t able to so I went with new.

I also have the 12-139 new Sweetheart version. I m pretty happy with it since I caught it on a sale for $57. It is kinda big and heavy, but is great for cleaning up end grain and smoothing smaller surfaces. The only real gripes are the lash in the depth adjustment, and only A2 blades are available (A2 chips easily at 25° bevel for end grain).

- OSU55

The Sweetheart version would be interesting at $57 but I’ve never seen it anywhere near that price. The other models I got to hold and feel in the store and it just felt cheap. The machining was aweful, the brass knobs felt cheap, and the other small parts felt like they would break under any force. I’m sure they could be make workable with some tuning, but if I’m going to take a $35 tool and spent a couple hours of mine tuning, I would rather do it with a vintage tool.